861.00/4898: Telegram
The Commanding General of the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia (Graves) to The Adjutant General (Harris)10
Number 372. Following from Slaughter,11 Omsk:
“July 6th. Returned from front July 3rd. Red Guards took Perm and Kungur July 1st. Kama bridge cut and military now blames workmen. Thirty-five hundred tons of kerosene in stationary tanks Perm emptied into Kama fired by unknown party burned entire Kama River fleet of 38 ships standing tied together ready to beach Chusovaya River. Perm shops, factories, materials and city partially evacuated. Six hundred freight cars remain. Immediate cause of evacuation two divisions of Osa front left front refused to [Page 207] fight more without rest. Heavy columns of Red guards from Osa cut lines at Ergach 11 miles west of Kungur June 29th, same time strong attacks along Perm railroad took all reserves from Perm to prevent disaster. Dietrichs afraid risk finish fight knowing victory at Perm only means delay of few days then forced to retreat.
Retreat Gaida army began by order staff Omsk, secures straight front on Perm without fighting. Troops still fair morale but slightly out of hand, require collecting. Only five to ten officers regiment. Men better morale than officers who greatly fear torture certain death hands Bolsheviks. Few good officers and a rest would restore confidence in men but army lacks training and cohesion. Men will fight if led. Afraid further retreat will be ordered in order to avoid fight until Dietrichs can rearrange army and receive reserves.
Gaida made peace with Dietrichs and retains Siberian Army spite politics.
Reds operating no reserves at all, no rail supply more than 200 versts rear whole front. Perm line cut at Lekma and Cheptsa. Kazan line at the Viatka and Sarapul. Simbirsk line at the rivers Ik and Samara lines at Kinel all crossings.
Reds operating by columns Perm railroad and Hiukosa and Kazan railroad and through Birsk against Zlatoust. One defeat and the Reds retreat confusion, they similar soldiers [sic].
Majority males evacuated with Siberian Army bringing horses cattle and often families in carts. From Tiumen west all disorder and panic, no one in charge. Officers and men leaving front every train by hundreds, no apparent control, no arms, some equipment, few slightly wounded on hand probably self-inflicted.
Actual strength army at the front unknown to any one. But Gaida states he has 28,000 bayonets in lines no reserves, with 32,000 auxiliary cavalry artillery engineers, evacuation and communication troops. Reds opposing with 60,000 bayonets. Dietrichs’ staff state western army 30,000 bayonets in line. Reds oppose with 45,000 no reserves but better officered and directed. Also Reds have 2,000 machine guns, Siberians only 400.
On June 20th Gaida was drawing 270 thousand rations. Now investigating for whom. Ekaterinburg evacuation commencing due to the threat Reds take Zlatoust, Berdyaoush.”
Above is in reply to your Number 284.